Well TSN or should I say ESPN actually showed the whole match this afternoon surprisingly. Hingis was playing Russian Alla Kudryavtseva ranked 134. Interesting match, could have gone either way Kudryavtseva had some good shots and generated some power at times but it's the unforced errors that sealed her fate.
She actually managed to break Hingis 3 times. The first set started out with Hingis winning the opening game and breaking her opponent for a 2 love lead. Then the Russian held serve and broke Hingis for 2 all. From then Hingis went on the win the first set 6/2.
Her opponent provided Hingis with a lot of gifts courtesy of her unforced errors as I mentioned. In the second set Hingis got a 4-0 lead. And again her opponent held serve and got on the board then broke Hingis again at 5/1 to go up 5/2. But Hingis proceeded to close it out easily at 6/2.
It wasn't her best match, but it definitely wasn't bad. I think it was just the fact that she's never played this person before so she couldn't really figure out what game plan to employ. As the match went on she opted for putting her opponent on the defensive and forcing unforced errors. Which is something she did a lot back in the 90's.
Hingis's serve was definitely better in her first round match, but she really didn't have to worry it was still a fairly easy match. I've said this in the past but I'll mention it again.
I honestly think that Hingis only raises her game against tougher opponents and I think she's a lot more confident playing someone she's played countless times before, because she knows their game and can figure out and adjust her game plan as she goes.
At one point during the match Hingis kept swatting at something with her rocket which later turned out to be a fly. It definitely got everyone's attention because Hingis is usually so focused between points she doesn't make any unnecessary movements.
The fans found it amusing too, one guy yelled out "get it Hingis" referring to the fly lol. With Hingis's reflexes the fly didn't stand a chance lol and Martina received some applause.
It's interesting to note that Hingis's opponent was happy to play her because she's her idol. I always find that so amazing that you have someone like the 19 year-old Kudryavtseva idolizing Martina who's only 26 herself. The idolization is well deserved of course but I'm always amused by that fact. Next Hingis will face Japan's Aiko Nakamura.
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